Posted by Lou Pilder on January 7, 2007, at 6:49:32
In reply to Re: The No Offensive Language Rule » NikkiT2, posted by JeffSmith on January 6, 2007, at 18:20:37
>
> > Um, I can only think of one 4 letter word that is also used for female gentalia. Thats "the c word".
>
> -Well I dont mean to unnecessarily keep up this part of the conversation, but let me just say that theres that and theres also the "P" word... as in also used before the word cat.
>
> > Oh, actually, my husband just pointed another out! the "t" one *l* In my world, that word carried no where near the weight the other does.
>
> -I believe you mean "t" as in a 3 letter word?
> But whats the *1* for after the "one"? Just curious...
>
> > Maybe you need to be female to understand why this is so offensive to many of us. Most would accept that this is about the strongest, most derogatory word there is. I, personally, do not like a part of my body that I rather like having being used in such a derogatory manner.
>
> -Just so you know- I dont advocate going around calling people names and I wouldnt ever have used the example sentence (My mother is a real "C") because I would actually rather take the time and think of all the other ways I could verbally disparage her. ; )
> I was just using the c word in that mother example to ask you about how you feel about seeing the word when not directed at you.
> I realize most people find that particular word particularly offensive.
> Me? I think it all depends upon your intention. You could either call some one a "C" and have it probably mean that you find that person to be b*tchy or obnoxious etc, which would obviously be intended to be offensive. Or if your very familiar/close w/ someone (male/female..whoever) you might jokingly say to them "That was a c***y thing to say" (non offensive). You *could* even say that in a non joking way and still not mean it in a heinous, vile, hateful way.
> Or you could use it to describe the female anatomy as an inappropriate lewd comment to someone (offensive). Or maybe use it during respectful sex talk/play (non offensive).
> I guess it could range anywhere from extremely derogatory/offensive to completely innocuous.
> So Im just not offended by the actual words or seeing them... I have to know what the intention behind them is first.
>
> Ive babbled again...
> Yes, : ) I realize you still dont like the word (youre positive I havent convinced you of otherwise!?!). I dont *need* to use it here and Im sure I can manage very nicely to never use it...
> I would just like to have the option of being "allowed" to use it, and all words.
>
> > You ask if there is a difference with the asterixing.
> > I think so, yes. To me it implies that ~some~ effort has been gone to to reduce this offence. >I'm not naive, or sheltered or anything like that, and obviously come across this word in my real >life. But, this ~is~ a medium where the use of it can be fogged.. and asterixing doesn't hide >thw word, or remove it, but it does make ~me~ feel like some effort has gone into preventing the >use of this word.
>
> -I see and agree with some of what youre saying.
> To use the * is definitely acknowledging the fact that youre offended by the word(s). It says that "even though Im still using this word Ill use the * as a way of "appeasing" others who are offended by it". And thats obviously a nice thing... to not want to offend others and to compromise by simply using the *. And I understand the fact that you want people to recognize your feeling about the word(s) and that you appreciate that theyre willing to do *something* to show you that recognition, by using the *.
> I dont get the impression, though, that anyone uses the * as a way of making an effort to prevent the use of the word. IMO when someone writes a word using an * they do so with the intention of writing that specific word. When that word is written the intention is for others to understand the word and the words meaning. The * is not meant to disguise the words meaning its just meant to disguise part of the words appearance... like a bad toupee. You can disguise part of the words appearance but never the less the word is still being written/used and understood for what it is and means.
> So if the word is still being used with the * then an effort has gone into partially disguising the words appearance, but no effort has gone into preventing the actual use of the word. And thats still a nice gesture.
>
> > I don't know whether or not you were around during the original discussions about this issue.. >but I seem to remember the asterixing actually being a compromise of some kind.. Which does >happen here at times ;)
> >
> > Nikki
>
> - No, Im very new here so I didnt see that.
>
> Friends,
It is written here,[...if the star is used, there is an effort to partially disguise the appearance of the word but no effort has gone into preventing the actual use of the word...]
I would like to add to this discussion a post by Dinah that IMO could improve the clarification about this aspect of the discussion.
Lou
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20061228/msgs/717354.html
>
poster:Lou Pilder
thread:717797
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/admin/20061228/msgs/720094.html